Emergency
Drones can save lives and guide critical decision making
At a first-responder level, a drone fitted with digital thermography equipment can be used in the search for missing persons, where every second counts. Remotely piloted aircraft can, in many instances be deployed quicker than a helicopter, are more affordable and can fly at lower altitudes making it easier to discriminate between human and animal forms.
Eye in the Sky
The way drones help firefighters accomplish their goals, first and foremost, is by collecting data. Drones have an incredible advantage in that they can literally be deployed within minutes of arriving on a scene.
Fire prevention
Fire departments are also beginning to use drones to stop fires before they begin. Many departments have been using drones to map out key buildings and facilities in their areas, such as schools and government buildings.
Saving lives
By far, the most impressive aspect of drone technology is how it can help to save lives. Using thermal cameras, firefighters can locate people who might be trapped on an upper level of a building or in a wildfire. Drones are also useful when inspectors need to assess the damage caused by a fire in areas that are still too dangerous for firefighters to enter.
Post-fire investigations
Aerial footage of a burning fire can provide investigators with a virtual library of information. The collection of first-hand information about how the fire burned while it was active is a gold mine for post-fire information. The information collected in photos and videos can be archived and used for investigations to determine how the fire started.